HARRISBURG — Federal officials want more information from Pennsylvania officials about the plan to toll Interstate 80.

On Oct. 13, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and state Department of Transportation submitted a joint application to toll I-80 to the Federal Highway Administration.

A copy of the letter released Thursday by the commission shows 14 points where federal officials seek more information.

"We knew before we even got started that this is a lengthy process, and we are continuing to cooperate with the FHWA to provide all the data they need to make an informed decision," said Joe Brimmeier, Turnpike Commission executive director, in a statement released Thursday.

The letter said Pennsylvania's application did not sufficiently describe the planned reconstruction and rehabilitation of I-80.

The federal agency, which will decide whether to accept or reject the idea, has asked for a range of information — from a simple request for a three-month-old state report to answers to questions that go to the heart of why the plan should receive approval.

The highway administration also wants a schedule of projected toll revenues and more detail on where that money would go.

The letter announcement came just days after more than two dozen state representatives and senators petitioned U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to deny the commission's phase one application.

"That's not the final answer, but it's certainly a very positive step for us," said state Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8th, about the requested information.

Stevenson, who represents parts of Butler and Mercer counties, opposes the tolling plan.

Several other state representatives also expressed their satisfaction with the federal questioning.

"I firmly believe this sends the message that tolling I-80 is a bad idea and that Act 44 needs repealed immediately," said state Rep. Scott Hutchinson, R-64th.

Act 44 is the legislation authorizing the turnpike commission to plan for tolling I-80.

State Rep. Rick Geist, R-79th, pushed for tolling alternatives such as public-private partnerships in his statement.

"Thousands of Pennsylvanians could be put to work rebuilding the infrastructure," said Geist.

U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-3rd, said in a news release, "It is clear that the Turnpike has yet to complete even basic consultations with local agencies let alone collaborate with local leaders in developing a final project."

The letter, written by David Lawton, acting division administrator for the highway administration, said the application did not contain enough information for provisional acceptance or even a conditional provisional approval.

However, if the phase one application is approved after it is revised and resubmitted, the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT would next need to get phase two approval.

Phase two would take eight to nine months, according to Bill Capone, director of communications for the commission. It would include more in-depth studies on the economic, environmental and engineering impacts of tolling I-80.

The interstate, which is toll-free, runs for more than 300 miles through Pennsylvania between the New Jersey and Ohio borders, including in northern Butler County.

Supporters of tolling I-80 say many out-of-state drivers will shoulder the funding burden for badly needed transportation improvements on aging highways and bridges around Pennsylvania. However, opponents say the burden of tolls will damage the local business climate.

The idea gained steam this year after Gov. Ed Rendell, citing a dire need for new money for highways, bridges and struggling mass transit systems, proposed leasing the Turnpike to a private company. In theory, the private company would pay a huge upfront fee to the state and earn a return on that investment over many years by raising tolls and cutting the turnpike's operating costs.

But the Legislature balked at the idea, and in July lawmakers approved an alternate plan to introduce tolls on I-80 and to raise tolls on the Turnpike.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.